What is Suicide?
Suicide. We would rather not talk about it. We hope it will never happen to anyone we know. But suicide is a reality, and it is more common than you might think. The possibility that suicide could claim the life of someone you love cannot be ignored. By paying attention to warning signs and talking about the ‘unthinkable,’ you may be able to prevent a death. Suicide means that someone ends their life on purpose. However, people who die by suicide or attempt suicide may not really want to end their life. Suicide may seem like the only way to deal with difficult feelings or situations.
Who Does it Affect?
About 4000 Canadians die by suicide every year. Suicide is the second-most common cause of death among young people, but men in their 40s and 50s have the highest rate of suicide. While women are three to four times more likely to attempt suicide than men, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Suicide is a complicated issue. People who die by suicide or attempt suicide usually feel overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, desperate, and alone. In some rare cases, people who experience psychosis (losing touch with reality) may hear voices that tell them to end their life.
Many different situations and experiences can lead someone to consider suicide. Known risk factors for suicide include:
Suicide is a complicated issue. People who die by suicide or attempt suicide usually feel overwhelmed, hopeless, helpless, desperate, and alone. In some rare cases, people who experience psychosis (losing touch with reality) may hear voices that tell them to end their life.
Many different situations and experiences can lead someone to consider suicide. Known risk factors for suicide include:
- A previous suicide attempt
- Family history of suicidal behaviour
- A serious physical or mental illness
- Problems with drugs or alcohol
- A major loss, such as the death of a loved one, unemployment, or divorce
- Major life changes or transitions, like those experienced by teenagers and seniors
- Social isolation or lack of a support network
- Family violence
- Access to the means of suicide
Warning Signs
Some warning signs that a person may be suicidal include:
- repeated expressions of hopelessness, helplessness, or desperation,
- withdrawal from friends and activities,
- feeling marginalized, rejected,
- behaviour that is out of character, such as recklessness in someone who is normally careful,
- loss of interest in usual activities,
- decrease in appetite or increased use of alcohol and other drugs,
- recent death of a friend or family member,
- job loss, failing academic performance,
- talking about death or wanting to die, e.g. “no one cares if I live or die”
- mood swings, emotional outbursts, high level of irritability or aggression,
- a sudden and unexpected change to a cheerful attitude,
- giving away prized possessions to friends and family,
- making a will, taking out insurance, or other preparations for death, such as telling final wishes to someone close,
- making remarks related to death and dying, or an expressed intent to commit suicide.
- Previous suicidal behaviour
Struggling with Loss
Losing someone to suicide can be shocking and incredibly painful. The grief can be intense, complex, and long term. Working through grief is an extremely individual and unique process. Each person will experience it in their own way and at their own pace. If you have been bereaved by the suicide of a friend or loved one, Crisis Services Canada can help connect you with resources that will support you in making sense of what has happened, dealing with the grief and learning how to live with your loss.
